A Rough Start

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Beth’s P.O.V.

Jaylen agrees to take me home, so I stand up and brush myself off. He offers me his hand and I take it and begin walking out of the school. I look up at Jaylen and he looks down and smiles at me. I smile back, but it’s half-hearted and I know he sees it.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” He asks me, sounding concerned. It’s hard to believe that when I first came here I wanted to break this guy’s neck, and now we’re best friends. We know all of each-others secrets, except what just happened. I’m pretty sure if I tell Jaylen what Ryan said, he would beat him half to death.

A lot of the guys know not to mess with me, because I am—was—dating Ryan, and my best friend is Jaylen. For some reason, a lot of the girls stay away from Jaylen. I think they know that I won’t let anything, or anyone, get in the way of our friendship.

“I’ll be okay.” I promise him. He looks doubtful, but pushes it away and nods. Suddenly there are loud footsteps coming down the hall. I take my hand out of Jaylen and turn to see who’s coming down the hall. My heart leaps in my chest when I see Ryan running as fast as he can, right at me. Jaylen turns towards Ryan and gently pushes me behind him and stands protectively in front of me. Ryan stops in front of Jaylen, mere inches in front of his face.

“Move Jaylen, this doesn’t involve you.” He says dangerously calm. I watch intently as Ryan takes another, threatening, step towards Jaylen.

“Jaylen, you don’t have to stand up for me; I don’t want to see you get hurt.” I yell to him and try to put myself in front of him. Jaylen is my best friend, and I couldn’t bear to see him get hurt on account of me. I know that if I go with Ryan, he’ll hurt me, maybe possibly finish what he started in the gym, but it won’t be nearly as bad as what he’ll do to Jaylen.

I manage to squeeze my way past him, but he catches my arm before I’m completely away.

“He’s going to hurt you, Beth.” Jaylen tells me. I can see him willing me to stay with the expression on his face. I’d rather the next words that come out of my mouth hurt him emotionally, than Ryan hurt him physically.

“I’m not a child, Jaylen. I can stand up for myself, and fight my own battles. Please let go of my arm.” I see the pain in his eyes, and if I looked down to the floor, I’m sure I would see my heart shattered into a million pieces. His hand drops to his side and he nods, and turns to walk away. “I’m sorry.” I whisper, but I know he doesn’t hear me.

“Oh so that’s why you said no to me? You’re screwing Jaylen? Huh, I never would have thought that.” Ryan implies sarcastically and grabs my wrist. I gasp at the sharp pain that shoots up my arm, and Ryan smirks and pulls me out of the school.

“How many times am I going to have to tell you to stay away from her?” Jake’s deep voice intrudes from behind us.

I feel myself breath out in relief, but quickly realize I’m not safe when Ryan throws me to the ground and puts his foot on my stomach. He pushes down with all of his weight and I scream in agony. Jake quickly steps up and swiftly punches Ryan in the face. Ryan recovers from the blow and lifts his foot and I think he’s going to leave me alone, but I’m sadly mistaken. He lifts his foot high, and brings it down on my ribs, resulting in a sickening crack and a scream of utter pain and horror from me. My vision blurs and I do the one thing I never would have imagined I’d do. I beg Jake Leyland to save me.

“Jake!” I yell out, but stop when Ryan brings his foot down, once again, onto my ribs. I scream and feel tears leaking from my eyes. I will myself not to show mercy, hut quickly push my pride away when I realize this could kill me.

I hear a loud crack and the pressure on my chest goes away, but not the pain. I open my eyes just enough to see Ryan on the ground with Jake standing over him, his hand curled into a fist. Ryan groans and tries to regain his composure but Jake slams his foot into his head. Ryan screams, and grabs Jake’s foot, making him fall to the ground. Ryan slowly sits up and leans over Jake and punches him in the stomach. Jake remains completely still on the ground and Ryan walks towards me and kicks me in the side. I scream, and don’t think the pain can get any worse. I begin to think about dying and how much I’ll miss my parents, and Jaylen. Even Jake, I’ll even miss Jake. I close my eyes and will the darkness to take me so the pain will go away. As I’m about to completely succumb to the darkness, a hand grabs mind and squeezes tightly for reassurance.

“If you’re still with me, please give me a sign.” I don’t recognize the voice, but I weakly squeeze the hand back. I hear shouting and then a male voice orders someone to call an ambulance.

I try to open my eyes, blinking furiously a few times. My vision is fuzzy, but I can make out the features of the person standing over me protectively; Jake Leyland.

“Jake?” I ask, but it hurts and I begin to cough.

“Don’t talk. You’re going to be okay, Elizabeth, you’re going to be fine.” He reassures me.

“It hurts. Make it stop, please.” I beg them him. Jake looks away from me nods his head. He bends down next to me and lightly squeezes my hand. I don’t know if it’s just my mind, but somehow the pain eases a little.

“The ambulance is almost here, just a few more minutes.” He says to me and looks around. That’s when I realize we’re surrounded by the whole school, teachers included. I blush at the attention and will myself to disappear.

Jake chuckles. “Don’t be embarrassed Beth.”

I feel the darkness coming again and I set the panic aside. Now is as good a time as any to die.

“Y’all, I can’t see. I think I’m going to sleep.” I say in a far away voice.

“No, Beth, stay awake. You need to stay awake.” A crowd of voices agree with Jake.

“Save me, Jake. I don’t want to die.” I plead with him.

“Beth, stay awake.” Jake pleads back, but it’s too late.

I hear distant sirens as I finally slip into the darkness, unwillingly.